Justice for Daisy: Internet Lashes Out at Maryville, Mo., Over Sex Case

An Internet backlash led by cries of "Justice for Daisy" has been unleashed against authorities in a small, idyllic Missouri town over how they handled what some are calling the brutal rape of a 14-year-old girl.

As the article notes, few dispute that a high school senior had sex with Daisy Coleman (the family has asked for her name to be released to help shed light on the case) on Jan. 8, 2012. Another boy had sex with Daisy’s 13-year-old friend. And a third student videotaped some of the scenes. Daisy was found by her mother, freezing on her front porch the next morning.

An investigation led to the felony arrests against the boys, one of whom is the grandson of what the Star called “a longtime area political figure.” That the suspect played on a venerated high school football team complicated matters.

When the Nodaway County prosecutor dropped charges, outrage ensued, but most of it aimed at Daisy’s family. Her mother lost her job, and her kids, the Star reported, were bullied. They finally fled the town.

The Maryville case is similar in many aspects to an infamous incident in Steubenville, Ohio, that involved players with a powerhouse football team. The incident there happened in August of 2012 when a high school girl who was incapacitated by alcohol was repeatedly raped. The assault was captured on videotape and posted on social media sites. Two high school football players were convicted in the case.

An Internet backlash led by cries of "Justice for Daisy" has been unleashed against authorities in a small, idyllic Missouri town over how they handled what some are calling the brutal rape of a 14-year-old girl.